One tradition that exemplifies the love of family and community in Native culture is the powwow. As traditions evolved throughout the generations, these ceremonies became a time to celebrate a rewarding hunt, to give gratitude to the spirits for a bountiful harvest, and to spiritually prepare a warrior for battle.
The powwow celebration also incorporates the Native spiritual conviction that life and death follow a continuous, sacred circle. Tribal drums, dancing, food, chanting, and traditional healing rituals are all a part of the gathering. A powwow is a vivid celebration filled with color, music, and laughter. Throughout Native American history , social events like these often took place once a year.
It was an opportunity to strengthen community bonds and to catch up with those who had become part of another tribe. It was also an occasion for enemies to put aside their differences and come together in a moment of truce.
The drum circle is very important and always prominent at a powwow. The drums represent uniting the people and is the heartbeat of the gathering.
The drum circle controls the energy of the powwow and is an integral part of controlling the flow and pace of the dancing. One of the most beautiful and outstanding things at a powwow are the gorgeous beaded articles and accessories worn by the dancers and powwow participants. One important thing to remember about this native dress is that these are not costumes, but should be referred to as regalia.
Each piece can take months to complete and may have been passed down for generations. Remember to ask a dancer before touching their regalia and before you take photos of them outside of the circle. If you are unsure of when photos are permitted, be sure to listen to the master of ceremonies. They will help to clarify when photography is not permitted. Another important aspect of a powwow is the honoring the military and the Elders. First off, this means if you see an elder who needs a seat, offer yours.
At the beginning of the powwow during the grand entry, the Eagle staff, tribal flags, and the American flag are often carried by military veterans out of respect for their service the American flag is included in the Tribal flag procession out of respect. Soldiers are given the same consideration as warriors of the past, and they fought under that flag. During the powwow there may also be special songs in honor of military veterans and special ceremonies honoring Tribal military veterans.
There are Jingles on a Jingle Dress. The fancy, is where you have a shawl around you and dance. If you have a sharp eye you will see how the dancer gently lifts her feet off the ground. Now the Traditional Dress is done slowly but peacefully. You step on beat swaying back and forth.
With each step you make you are gracefully dancing. Moccasins are the shoes you would wear when attending the powwow. Well, not attending but if you were dancing. But with Jingle you might want to wear leggings. The Nanticoke Indian Powwow is about two days. It is in September. I am not sure what date but I think it is sometime after Labor Day. The days of powwow are Saturday and Sunday.
These are the dresses we dance with. These dresses keep our culture alive. These dresses mean everything to our culture and without them we would not be remembered now or in the nearby future.
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